BENTONVILLE, Ark. -

Less than a week after reaching the 100 mark, America’s Car-Mart rolled out its 101st dealership Thursday.

While store No. 100 came online in Opelika, Ala., company executives decided to broaden their footprint near their headquarters and open a second facility in Springdale, Ark., for this new opening. The store raises Car-Mart’s total in Arkansas to 37.

“Northwest Arkansas has grown significantly over the past several years, and our newest location in Springdale will help us keep pace with this growth and serve an increasing market for people looking for good, basic affordable transportation and the financing to go with it,” said William “Hank” Henderson, Car-Mart’s president and chief executive officer.

“In addition to attracting new customers, the convenience of this new location will be very helpful to many of our existing customers, and will help us to serve them even better,” Henderson added.

Car-Mart tapped Cesia Martinez to be the manager of the new Springdale dealership.

“She is looking forward to meeting her customers and developing those long-term relationships, which is what Car-Mart is all about,” Henderson pointed out.

Chief financial officer Jeff Williams reiterated Car-Mart’s plan to open four to six more dealerships during the remainder of the fiscal year. Beyond that time frame, the company hopes to unveil additional dealerships at an approximate 10 percent annual rate.

“We will continue to focus on increasing sales volumes at our existing stores and at the same time adding great new locations,” Williams insisted.

“Our solid financial results, strong balance sheet and competitive strengths will continue to allow us to provide the best possible service to our almost 49,000 active customers and to future customers we will gain as we grow,” he concluded.